“Now We won’t be Ashamed of Our Patients, Neither Our Students, Nor Our Foreign Guests”: Plastic Surgeon Artavazd Sahakyan
10-10-2016 01:54:08 | Armenia | Interviews
Today in Heratsi N1 Hospital Complex are lawfully implemented all those plastic surgical interventions that are done in Europe and in the USA. The geography of patients is really Europe-wide; they come from different parts starting from the USA to Middle East, as well as the countries of the Commonwealth of the Independent States. What way has the local plastic surgery passed? What has contributed the development of this branch in Armenia? For finding the answers all this and other questions, Noyan Tapan’s correspondent talked with Artavazd Sahakyan, the Manager of the University Hospital №1 of the YSMU after M. Heratsi, the Head phisician of reconstructive Microsurgery and Plastic Surgery Department, Head of the Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Microsurgery University Center.
Mr. Sahakyan, there is a widespread opinion that to the development of microsurgery in Armenia was greatly contributed the work experience gained during the years of Artsakh war and 1988 earthquake. Is it true?
Unfortunately the war caused huge losses, but the surgery usually develops in such kind of conditions. We really managed to get cruel experience during Artsakh war.
In the days of earthquake we were unable to do anything. At that time people’s limbs were mainly amputated. Another issue is that in subsequent years in order to eliminate post-traumatic defects, the scars and functional gaps, we have done a lot of work. In the years of Artsakh war the gunshot wounds were too much. Since 1989 my staff and I gave enormous assistance to the wounded soldiers. In March and April of 1992 the number of wounded people increased. Monthly an average of 40-50 soldiers were treated and at the same time we fed them and provided with financial aid.
The war gave us a huge experience to work tactfully with the wounded soldiers. In the past when people with gunshot wounds were amputated now we were able more frequently preserve the limbs, do grafting and heal the wounds that were in inflammatory process.
When did you manage to do your first microsurgery and whom do you consider your teachers?
Since 1982-83 I've done surgeries of tendons, nerves, upper and lower limbs, but in 1985, first time in the history of Armenian surgery I managed to transplant foot thumb on the wrist. If in Moscow 10-15 persons were involved in such kind of operation, in Armenia I did 12 hour lasting operation with the help of one assistant and after serious operation and sleepless night. Of course, all these were artificially created difficulties, the aim of which was not to allow me to perform the operation (in that time and even now it is hard to find a job in this profession in Armenia because it is more profitable). But in those days I still took the risk and succeeded.
There were really a lot of obstacles: it took me exactly one and a half year to get permission to do the first transplantation. In 1986 with my team I did 40 grafting of which 39 were successful, while in the same year 33 surgeries were done in Moscow of which only 17 were successful.
In 1990 I traveled to France for 6 months after which the cooperation continued with a number of French clinics and doctors. This cooperation enabled us to develop the Armenian plastic surgery and to implement the achievements of worldwide surgery in Armenia. In this regard I consider the French as my teachers.
The years of war are over but the situation in Karabakh still remains tense. Do you continue to carry out you professional activities on these days in Karabakh?
The partnership with Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has started in March 1990 and continues up to now. Nowadays my team and I go to Artsakh 6 times a year and perform 100-120 free surgeries there. Mainly we focus on providing assistance to the people living in regions, because as opposed to the early 1990s, today there are very smart and experienced professionals in Stepanakert which is a great honour for the Ministry of Healthcare in NKR.
It is known that you have been deputy in Armenia’s National Assembly. What was the reason to be engaged in politics and why did you leave that field afterwards?
Like every Armenian intellectual, in 1988, when Armenia was moving towards the independence, I also started to be involved in politics. In 1995 I was elected as a deputy in the National Assembly of Armenia. Since 1999 I left political activities considering that it is right time to deal with my own specialty, surgery, and to direct all my abilities mainly to the development of that sphere.
In spite of all that, I have never been indifferent to what is happening in Armenia. I feel pain seeing how Armenia’s population continues to decline. Especially the border regions are depopulated which I consider a great misfortune. Everything must be done to prevent the process of further depopulation and lead the country along the road of development. For this, our youngsters should have the opportunity to continue their career in Armenia with dignity. In this regard we need social justice, democracy and honesty.
A new government is formed in Armenia headed by Karen Karapetyan. What do you think, will this change have any positive upheaval in our country?
I am personally familiar with Karen Karapetyan, closer to his father, Vilen Karapetyan. Our meetings have always been effective. I think that a right choice has been made. Karen Karapetyan has a vast experience not only in Armenia, but also in Russia. He is patriot and very intelligent. Sometimes I meet him in Artsakh. I think his appointment will contribute to the prosperity of Armenian economy and multi-lateral cooperation between Armenia and Russia.
Since 1996 up to now you are working in the University Hospital №1 of the YSMU after M. Heratsi, the repair works of which are now carried out by your assistance. Does the Medical University or Ministry of Education in some way support you?
I don’t want to be in the role of complainant but the first reconstruction of No.1 hospital was done by me in 1996 without state support. The administration of Medical University didn’t provide any assistance to the department of plastic surgery. This year after my vain and unacknowledged applications, I made a decision to repair the plastic surgery clinic by my own resources and also with the help of some friends. No one believed that it could be possible to fully renovate this huge two-story clinic for one and half months.
Now we won’t be ashamed neither of our patients, many of which are from different countries, nor our students, our foreign guests, and will provide our medical services in decent conditions.
What would you wish Armenian people?
Peace, unity, solidarity and social justice.
Don’t leave our homeland that our forefathers preserved and passed on to us.
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